Divorce records in Sonoma County, California, are available through several channels. SonomaCourt.us helps quickly navigate public information regarding divorce cases in this county. Additionally, records can be obtained directly from the Sonoma County Superior Court that issued the decision, through the court records department, as well as from the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records. The Clerk-Recorder's office of the county does not store divorce records.
Sonoma Divorce Records Search
In the state of California, divorce cases (dissolution of marriage) are handled by the Superior Court of the respective county. In Sonoma County, these cases are managed by the Family Law Division of the Superior Court. The court retains the complete case file: judgment of dissolution, property division agreements, custody and support orders, as well as all related procedural documents.
The Clerk-Recorder's office of the county explicitly states that it does not have any information or documents regarding divorces — inquiries should be directed exclusively to the court. At the state level, the California Department of Public Health — Vital Records can issue a divorce certificate, which confirms the fact of the dissolution of marriage but does not contain case details.
Main contact information for the court:
Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma — Records Department
Through the Case Portal online, you can find basic case information — number, filing date, status — without needing to visit the courthouse.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Sonoma
The structure for storing divorce records in California is clearly divided between the court and the state. Here's where to go depending on what you need.
Sonoma County Superior Court — Full Case
All divorce cases, legal separations, and nullity of marriage filings are submitted and stored in the Family Law Division of the Superior Court. Once the final judgment is issued, it remains in the court's case file. If you need a copy of the court's judgment, property division agreement, or custody order, contact the court records department.
Requests for document copies can be submitted in person or by mail through the Records Department.
California Department of Public Health — Divorce Certificate
The state maintains a registry of divorces filed in any county in California. CDPH-VR issues certified copies of divorce certificates. This document confirms the fact of divorce but does not include the terms of the agreement or court orders.
More details on the procedure can be found on the page for obtaining certified copies of divorce records.
What to Choose?
- Full text of court judgment, property agreement, custody order → Records Department of the Sonoma County Superior Court.
- Certificate confirming the fact of divorce (for government agencies, name changes, etc.) → CDPH — Vital Records or the court.
- County Clerk-Recorder → does not have divorce records; only issues birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Sonoma
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified), first 10 pages | $0.50 per page | From a few minutes (in person) to 7–10 business days (by mail) |
| Certified copy of court document | $0.50 per page + $40 for certification | 7–10 business days |
| Divorce certificate (CDPH — Vital Records, by mail) | $18 | Approximately 15–20 business days |
| Divorce certificate (CDPH — Vital Records, expedited processing) | $18 + additional delivery fee | Depends on the chosen delivery method |